Seat Vinyl Color

[ianashdown]

I’ve seen black and a lot of red seat and dash vinyl, but is anyone aware of green seats being offered by the factory in 1961?  Did they do special orders?

 

Just curios.

 

Ian

[SENC]

To my knowledge, only red at that point - the black came along with the S3.

 

If you Facebook, you might join and ask the question of the Historic Lotus Register group and Lotus History-Early Years group.  A few employees of that era chime in from time to time and might comment if there were any one-offs.

[ianashdown]

Thank you!  Good suggestion.

 

Ian

[straightcut]

Tony Ingram offers an excellent original style seat cover kit in the correct colors.  He also has the same material to cover the dash if you ask.

https://lotus7.com/LOTUS_7_parts.html

 

 

[ianashdown]

I’m getting so far ahead of myself thinking about vinyl and how that relates to the car color etc, but it fun to think about it.  On the off-chance that the seats clean up OK and aren’t torn etc I’d be tempted to keep them for originality, patina etc.  I’d have new foams made most likely, but I don’t want a green car.  Not that there’s anything wrong with green, he says ducking for cover!

 

I’ll probably replace it all and then I’ll have free choice of car color.  The dilemma is, as a ‘61 car should I pick a color that is period appropriate or a brighter modern color?

 

Ian

[ianashdown]

While being so far out in front of reality I thought I’d ask if anyone knows if Lotus re-painted the block and head of the Ford 105E engines in S2 cars as they did with the Elan Twin Cam block and head.  If they did, was it the same grey as used on the Elan?

 

Thanks,

 

Ian

[MV8]

I've read that red was standard but no original reviews that reference the seat color, only that they are "Vynide", a scrim backed, leather grained vinyl with piping. That is a deal for new upholstery from Tony. Otherwise, I'd use a modern marine-grade pe vinyl from a place like Kens upholstery online and 5-8lb density foam for the lower cushions.

[SENC]

I had saved this old discussion from the old Seven listserve.  It is specifically for the S2s with Cosworth 1500 engines.  Though not definitive, there were a few discussions over the years and as I recall most landed where John's did in this one (his input is the last for each item).

 

When I was researching and found this I found other discussions on other versions and I seem to recall the other versions may have been blue engined, but I dont think I saved or screenshotted any of them - will post if I find anything in my files.  The listserve is still around, though largely inactive, so you can still join and search archived messages (a tedious process).

 

S2 Paint Colors.pdf

Edited April 18, 2023 by SENC

[straightcut]

I did e-mail Tony Ingram and was told his seat cover kits are temporarily out of stock.

[IamScotticus]

I had read that the Ford blocks were painted MG Maroon.

 

Honestly, do what you like with marine grade materials for durability and MV8 is right about cushion density.

 

No

Body

But

You

Will

Know

Any

Different.

Edited April 21, 2023 by IamScotticus

[inchoate]

56 minutes ago, IamScotticus said:

I had read that the Ford blocks were painted MG Maroon.

 

Honestly, do what you like with marine grade materials for durability and MV8 is right above cushion density.

 

No

Body

But

You

Will

Know

Any

Different.

 

I kind of agree with this.

 

There really is no such thing as a stock 7.  Every single one I've ever seen is modified in some way or another.  Do what works for you and be happy.

[IamScotticus]

There are specifics to creating a proper S2. I agree some things should be done right.  

Like proper nose badge placement.  Some things are personal preference,  like painting the rear tyre carrier the body color like red or green.  Fine if that's your thing.  The casual observer won't know its not the Lotus way.

[SENC]

If Tony is out, check with Mick at xtraspecialsevens.co.uk - the PO of my car had him replace mine, and I can say they are excellent.  Mick is quite knowledgeable and has lots of other Seven goodies as well.

[SENC]

MG Maroon would fit with the thread discussion above, at least for 1500 supers.  In rebuilding mine, I found that POR15 has an engine enamel in MG maroon that looks good.  Whether it would satisfy a purist or pass a concours inspection I don't know (or care), but it looks good to my eye.  Also generally agree that while lots of things can be determined "standard" for Sevens of certain eras, there was enough variation and they were so heavily modified that current owners can feel pretty free to do as they please without being "wrong".